Corydalis flexuosa plant named ‘Golden Panda’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct form of Corydalis plant characterized by its distinctive yellow variegated leaves.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofCorydalis, of the family Papaveraceae, which originated from a mutationin tissue culture from an unpatented Corydalis flexuosa ‘Blue Panda’.

This plant is characterized by the unique variegation of its foliage,which is patterened and colored with shades of yellow.

The new variety has been reproduced only by asexual propagation(division and micropropagation). Each of the progeny exhibits identicalcharacteristics to the original plant. Asexual propagation by divisionand micropropagation as done in Canby, Oreg., shows that the foregoingcharacteristics and distinctions come true to form and are establishedand transmitted through succeeding propagations. The present inventionhas not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. Thephenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change inthe genotype of the plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing shows a two-year-old Corydalis flexuosa ‘Golden Panda’ inbloom in early summer.

DETAILED PLANT DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new Corydalis flexuosavariety based on observations of two-year-old specimens grown intwo-gallon containers in a cool greenhouse in Canby, Oreg. The colordescriptions are all based on The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart.

Botanical name: Corydalis flexuosa.

Cultivar name: ‘Golden Panda’.

Plant:

Form.—Clumping, herbaceous perennial, non-running habit.

Cold hardiness.—USDA Zone 5.

Size.—To 20 cm tall and 30 cm wide.

Stem:

Type.—Rhizomatous, covered with fleshly scales.

Size.—About 0.7 cm wide.

Color.—Greyed Orange 174B.

Leaf:

Type.—Compound, biternate.

Arrangement.—Basal.

Shape.—Ovate in outline.

Lobing/division.—Each secondary leaflet is ternately divided and eachdivision is 2-3 lobed.

Venation.—Palmate.

Margins.—Deeply divided, each lobe is entire.

Apex.—Mucronulate.

Base.—Lateral leaflets cordate, terminal leaflets truncate to cuneate.

Size.—To 4 cm long and 3.25 cm wide.

Texture.—Glabrous.

Petiole length.—To 8 cm long.

Petiole texture.—Glabrous.

Petiole color.—Greyed Orange 174A-B to Greyed Red 182A.

Leaf color.—Variegated with leaflet centers irregularly Yellow 4D to 2Cstreaking to greener toward margins Yellow Green 144A to Yellow Green146C and 147C. Winter and early spring leaves are Green 138A withstreaks of Yellow Green 145A. The base of each leaflet has a reddishspot like the petiole, Greyed Red 182A.

Inflorescence:

Type.—Raceme.

Number of flowers.—To about 11 per raceme.

Peduncle.—Height — about 14 cm. Diameter — 0.15 cm. Color — GreyedYellow 161A-B. Texture — Glabrous.

Pedicel.—Length — to about 1.5 cm. Texture — Glabrous. Color — GreyedRed 179C-D.

Bracts.—At pedicel base, leaf-like, lobed. Shape — Changes from reniformto orbicular to ovate to oblanceolate to linear going up the stem.Lobing decreases going up the stem from three leaflets and each leaflet3-4 parted and lobed to one leaflet deeply lobed to a single lobe. Apexmucronulate. Size — Changes from bottom bract 1.7 cm wide and 1.4 cmdeep to top bracts 5 mm long and 1.5 mm wide. Color — Green 138A heavilystreaked Yellow 4D with lobe tips Greyed Red 182A.

Bloom period.—April to June in Canby, Oreg.

Flower bud:

Size.—About 1.7 cm long and 0.3 cm wide at the widest point prior toopening.

Description.—Shaped like a young tadpole.

Color.—Blue 106A-B with White 155D on bottom side. There is a purplespot on the upper petal lobe, Violet 87B.

Flower:

Type.—Zygomorphic.

Shape.—Tubular. Upper petal with a nectary spur which curves up. Nectaryspur extends back from pedicel for 0.6 cm.

Size.—About 2.5 cm long and 0.6 cm at tip where it is widest.

Color.—Blue 106A-B on upper petal and tip of lower petal. White 155D onlower petal and inner petals. Upper and lower petal lobes have a purplespot, Violet 87B darkening to Violet-Blue 93B with maturity. YoungNectary Spurs have a purplish cast on the bottom, Violet 91B.

Petal count.—4.

Sepal #.—0.

Stamen number.—2.

Anther number.—6, three on each filament.

Pistil.—One, about 1.1 cm long and white 155A.

Pollen.—Yellow 13C.

Filaments.—Flat, translucent, 0.4 cm long.

Fragrance.—Reminiscent of sweet violet.

Lastingness.—A raceme blooms for about 3 weeks on the plant.

Fruit:

Type.—Narrowly linear, pendent capsules.

Size.—1.3 cm long and 1.5 mm wide.

Color.—Yellow Green 144B.

Fertility.—Low.

Seed:

Shape.—Flattened oval.

Color.—Black 202A.

Diseases: None observed on plants grown commercially in Canby, Oreg.

Pest resistance and susceptibility: Susceptible to aphids and spidermites like other Corydalis sp.

DESCRIPTION AND COMPARISON OF PARENT PLANT

Corydalis flexuosa ‘Blue Panda’ has pale blue-green, unmarked, fern-likeleaves and sky-blue flowers with curved spurs. It is clump forming witha non-running habit. Compared to Corydalis flexuosa ‘Blue Panda’,Corydalis flexuosa ‘Golden Panda’ is a stable variegated form withleaves which turn golden in the summer. Both plants have excellent form,vigor, and blooms.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct form of Corydalis plant substantially asshown and described, characterized by a distinct yellow leaf colorationand pattern.